Footsteps on the Threshold

Spring…

Green stretched its carpet across the earth, and white and yellow flowers swayed among the grass as if whispering the secrets of the seasons.

The birds had returned, and the chirping of sparrows filled the palace air, as if welcoming life back once more.

Mira twirled joyfully among the flowers, her hair dancing in the breeze, laughter lighting up her face.

"My favorite season has arrived!"

From afar, the prince watched her in silence…

something in his chest smiled ,without him even knowing.

In the courtyard, the servants' children ran about, laughter echoing in the air.

Prince Raifan sent Valter with a message:

"Get ready. Today, we're going on an outing."

Joy spread through the palace, and everyone began to prepare...

Hind carefully selected the spices, while Mira skillfully packed the grilling tools.

As for Valter...he, as always, was sharpening his sword.

The group set out.

Prince Raifan:

"Did you hide the documents well from any thieves?"

Valter:

"Yes, Your Highness."

Raifan:

"If the thieves find out we're gone, they won't hesitate to break in."

Valter:

"Don't worry, I've handled everything..."

The carriages rolled forward.

A servant named 'And' said:

"I can't remember the last time we went on a trip

back then, we were ambushed by Celius's men."

Mira (looking at Hind):

"Do you think they'll come again?"

Joly:

"Ugh, don't say that! Haha

or do you want them to come?"

Hind:

"Please, Joly didn't mean it that way, Mira!"

Joly:

"Let's just enjoy this and forget about that gang..."

When they arrived, everyone stepped out.

Mira looked around in awe:

"Meadows, green fields, and mountains!"

Hind:

"You look like a child....your eyes are sparkling!"

Mira (smiling):

"How could they not sparkle in the magic of spring and nature?

Do you know, Hind? Mother's Day falls in this season

as if the sky itself offers a gift to mothers."

Hind:

"Really?"

Mira:

"I used to pick flowers when I was little.

My mother would take them with so much love.

Now I wonder… how could wildflowers bring her such joy?"

Hind:

"That's a mother's heart. The simplest things become the greatest gifts to them."

Mira:

"You speak like a mother yourself."

Hind (a shadow passing over her face):

"I once was… I had a little child, from my husband.

Celius's gang attacked us.

They showed no mercy.

They killed the men in our village, the children… the women.

They sold them.

And my child… I don't know where he is now.

My heart breaks, Mira.

I don't know if he's alive or not."

Mira (teary-eyed):

"Damn them. Is there any hope you'll find him?"

Hind:

"I don't know… I think they sold him.

I begged them to let me have him.

They kicked me brutally, dragged me to the market.

I was lucky the prince saved me from them."

Mira (hugging her):

"I hope you find him, sister..."

But Hind…

it was as if she had been holding in her tears for years.

Joly:

"What are you doing?! Stop your chatter! Let's get everything ready!"

Mira (muttering):

"How mean she is..."

Hind (wiping her face, smiling gently):

"Come on, Mira. Let's enjoy the day… and forget our sorrows."

Meanwhile, the prince and some of his guards roamed the area, hunting.

Everyone enjoyed the barbecue.

The servant girls sang and danced, while the guards looked on...smiling, laughing...

Suddenly

fiery arrows cut through the air and flew overhead!

One of the guards was struck.

The servant girls screamed.

Valter shouted:

"Protect the prince, now!"

The men rushed in with their swords drawn, deflecting the incoming arrows.

The servant girls and children hid inside the carriages.

But Mira… did not hide.

"This is my chance… they've come to us themselves, hahaha!"

She ran to the injured guard and grabbed his sword.

The guard:

"Hide quickly!"

Mira:

"You go hide. Hind will take care of you..."

Guard:

"I said get back!"

Mira:

"Lean on me."

He leaned on her shoulder.

She helped him into one of the carriages and slammed the door shut.

Guard (groaning):

"You fool! Get back… ahh… my chest..."

Hind (pressing on his wound):

"Please, calm down. You're bleeding badly!"

Guard (weakly):

"Miraa…!"

But Mira…

drew the sword…..

and ran back out to fight beside the men.

The clash of swords filled the air…

A man laughed mockingly:

"A girl fighting? Has the prince run out of real men? Hahaha!"

Mira charged at him.

He suddenly grabbed her sword

but she kicked him hard, catching him off guard.

He fell to the ground.

She held the blade to his neck.

Mira:

"Where is your base?!"

The man sneered:

"Why? Planning to attack our men? Do you really think you..."

He didn't finish.

She slit his throat.

Blood spilled.

He dropped dead.

His comrade saw it happen.....and ran toward her.

Valter:

"Mira, behind you!"

The man raised his sword high.

Mira dropped to the ground just in time,

but not before she struck his leg.

He screamed:

"Aaaargh!"

Then she plunged her sword into his chest.

Hind (screaming):

"Mira, come back, please!"

Mira her clothes soaked in blood turned to her, stepping closer.

Mira:

"Which one of them took your child?!"

Hind:

"W-what?!"

Mira:

"Quick...point to one of them! Which one?!"

Hind:

"Get inside, please… I don't want to lose you..."

Mira (placing her hand on Hind's head):

"You won't lose me. Just point...and leave the rest to me."

Hind froze in shock.

Suddenly

a man charged at Mira from behind!

She stepped back

but he kicked her hard:

"You may be fast in the sand… but not fast enough to dodge this

you whore!"

Mira… laughed.

"Hahahaha!"

She gripped her sword tighter....and attacked.

But this man was stronger than she'd expected.

The prince was fighting with all his might.

Valter held his ground.

Mira began to retreat, her mind racing for a trap.

Man:

"Surrender!"

Mira stayed silent, thinking…

Then suddenly, she ran toward him.

He charged at her with his sword…..

but she dodged, slipped behind him….

and kicked him hard in the head.

He collapsed.

Mira (smirking):

"Poor woman... what kind of whore gave birth to you?"

She stabbed him.

She stood victorious.

He hadn't been an easy opponent...

but she survived… barely.

Then she looked down...

his sword had torn through her shoulder.

Prince Raifan shouted:

"Many of you surrendered… your punishment will be lessened!"

One of the men spat back:

"Who do you think you are? A prince?

You're nothing but a maid's son, you bastard!"

He charged, sword drawn!

The prince ran toward him.

Mira acted fast....she grabbed a sharp knife and dropped to the ground.

Mira (whispering to the blade):

"Please… don't fail me."

She flung the knife toward his leg—

It struck.

The man looked back at her in shock.

Prince:

"What did you do?!"

Mira stepped closer:

"Keep him alive… let him witness what kind of prince you truly are."

The prince stood stunned.

Prince:

"This isn't a game. Keeping him alive means he'll escape and come back for revenge!"

Mira:

"That's only if… he manages to escape."

Valter stepped in:

"I believe she's right, Your Highness. Let's hold them as hostages…..

a warning to the Celius gang."

The prince sighed, eyes drifting to Mira's wounded body.

Prince (softly):

"Why didn't you hide, Mira?"

Mira:

"How could I hide… when they threatened your safety?

And their presence….it means someone sent them.

We can't ignore that."

The Celius men surrendered, though not easily.

Prince:

"Tie them up well…don't let a single one escape!"

Then he walked up to Mira.

Prince:

"When we return… come to my study.

What you've done… won't go unpunished."

Mira fell silent, her eyes low.

She watched him walk away toward his horse.

Everyone returned to the estate.

Valter and the guards dragged the gang down to an underground chamber...

and bound them tight.

Valter interrogated them, but they were stubborn.

They endured the whip's pain

and laughed, mocking him with every strike.

Furious, Valter stormed out:

"Your Highness… they say nothing.

They laugh, unfazed by the pain of defeat..."

...

In the kitchen, silence reigned,

broken only by the quiet bubbling of tea.

Hind sat beside the table,

while Mira dressed her wound in silence.

Mira:

"He was stronger than I expected…

but I wasn't weaker than him."

Hind (worried):

"You shouldn't have taken that risk…

You're a girl, Mira."

Mira (sharply):

"And what if I am?!

What is wrong with this world and its obsession with 'differences'?

As if being a woman makes me less brave…..less capable!"

Hind (sighs):

"Don't be upset…

It's just… men fight.

And women?

They belong in the kitchen.

Unless they're noble…then their duty is to wait for their husbands and raise children."

Mira (with bitter sarcasm):

"Who planted these molds in our minds?

A woman has the right to learn, to work, to dream…

And the kitchen? It should be a choice, not a prison simply because we're women."

Hind (whispers):

…."But they're cruel, Mira…

What if luck hadn't been on your side?

What if they had killed you?

Do you know what they could've done to you...?"

Mira looked down at her wound,

then lifted her head with quiet resolve.

Mira:

"They already attacked us…

and I defended myself.

If I hadn't known how to fight….

you, me… all of us would've been taken,

helpless in the hands of men without mercy.

There is no shame in being strong.

The shame… is being denied the right to survive."

(She pauses, then continues in a broken tone):

"Weakness… is not refinement.

They want women soft, obedient… yet they're the first to blame her when she falls.

They forget...they're the ones who stole her right to learn… to be protected… to simply be human."

Hind (in a sorrowful whisper):

"This is our society, Mira… it cannot accept a woman outside the kitchen or the nursery."

Mira (approaching her, speaking softly):

"If you had known how to fight…

you might've defended your child.

At least… you would've tried."

Hind looks down, her eyes swimming with pain.

A maid enters quietly:

"Miss Mira, Prince Raivan requests your presence in his study."

(Mira rises, heads to the door, then turns to Hind):

"We'll talk later…

Perhaps, one day, you'll understand."

...

Prince Raivan stood by the window in his study,

his back to the door, fury blazing in his eyes.

Mira entered silently, her steps light,

but she couldn't hide her unease.

He turned slowly, his voice brimming with anger:

"Welcome… warrior."

(He clapped slowly, then roared:)

"What foolishness is this, Mira?!"

She blinked, steadying herself:

"I couldn't just stand there and do nothing…"

He approached, his voice deeper, harsher:

"I was there....protecting you.

My men were there.

Did you think so little of us?

Did you imagine yourself more capable?"

She answered calmly, though pain flickered beneath her words:

"No… but I know how to fight.

I only wanted to help.

I meant no disrespect."

He slammed his hand on the desk—papers trembled.

"Listen to me...this is your final warning:

If there's danger, if there's an attack....

you stay out of it. Understood?"

Mira stayed silent a moment, then raised her head, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears:

"Forgive my boldness…

but they killed someone I cared about.

The killer was among them…

and he didn't even flinch."

Raivan took a slow breath, speaking with exhaustion:

"I know what they are…

Beasts without mercy.

Even the ruler himself backed down before them.

Who are we, to stand in their way?"

She looked at him firmly, her voice a quiet defiance:

"We don't need a mighty army…

We need a clever plan.

Destabilization....not confrontation."

He stepped closer, his voice low but stern:

"They'll strike back.

They'll seek revenge.

They won't be silent."

She replied without hesitation, her eyes glowing with resolve:

"Let them.

We'll set a trap

and this time, they'll be the prey."

The prince fell silent, staring into her eyes,

as if searching for something

or seeing in her a strength he had never expected.

Then he muttered:

"What kind of trap, Mira…?"

If they truly plan to attack,

a trap may be our only way to stop them.

Only when they feel danger themselves will they retreat.

But his gaze darkened, and he warned in a tone that allowed no argument:

"Mira… do not underestimate them.

They need only a spark

and they'll pounce,

they'll crush me…

and shake my father's faith in me!"

"Go back to your room.

Get some rest.

And don't forget this warning...

You'll see another face of me if you do."

Mira lowered her head:

"Very well…

Good night, Your Highness."

---

But that night… was not like any other.

She tossed and turned in her bed,

her pillow refusing to cradle her weariness.

She buried her face beneath the covers,

hiding a tear she didn't want anyone to see.

And in a shattered whisper, she said to herself:

"No matter what I do… I'll always be a stranger here.

Jack… have you forgotten me?

Father… don't you miss me?

Where am I?

When will this nightmare end…

and take me back to my world?"

A stifling silence.

Walls that never answered.

A grief pierced her chest like icy arrows.

"No one loves me here…

No one.

And nothing binds me to this world

except… my tired heart."

Scene: Raelan in the Mountains

The mountains stood silent

harboring wind and watchers within their stillness.

Raelan and his men had reached the outskirts,

dust and exhaustion etched into their faces,

but their eyes gleamed with purpose.

This was no aimless journey…

it was a carefully laid trap.

Noah (glancing around cautiously):

"Shall we move forward?"

Raelan (his voice low, eyes scanning the rocks):

"Not yet, Noah…

Let them think we're lost.

If we get any closer, our intentions will be exposed."

Noah (yawning):

"Then I'll go hunt something.

The air here is cold and unbearable."

Raelan:

"Take someone with you. Don't go alone."

Noah set off with a companion.

The rest pitched a small tent,

gathered firewood, and lit a modest fire

as if preparing for a quiet evening meal.

But behind the rocks…

watchful eyes observed them.

---

Meanwhile, one of the bandits sprinted toward their hideout...

a dark den veiled by dry branches,

within which stood a massive man,

broad-shouldered, his features carved like stone,

his eyes bulging like a hawk starved for days.

Bandit (panting):

….."Sir… west of the mountain

a group of men have set up a tent and lit a fire."

Leader (sitting on a rock, muttering):

"Women?"

Bandit:

"No. Men only.

But one of them is carrying a box."

Leader:

"A box? Suspicious...

Get ready.

Don't underestimate them."

Bandit:

"Yes, sir!"

---

Blades were being sharpened. Arrows fitted. Boots laced tightly.

But Noah had returned with his hunt, preparing the fire for a quiet roast.

Smoke curled upward, and even the wind seemed tempted by the scent.

Yet the bandits didn't wait long…..

they swarmed the camp like phantoms, their swords gleaming in the firelight.

Raelan rose calmly, brushed dust off his cloak,

and stared at them as though he had been expecting this moment all along.

Raelan (mocking):

"You've ruined my dinner.

Is that how you greet guests in these mountains?"

One of the bandits (sneering):

"In the den of wolves, we don't serve meals… we serve heads."

Raelan (stroking his beard):

"Your attire… You must be men of Sileus."

Bandit (proudly):

"Seems like our name brings fear to every tongue."

Raelan (with a challenging stare):

"But clearly…

you don't know who I am."

Bandit:

"We don't care.

We want the box… and your blood."

Their laughter echoed through the camp.

Raelan (turning slightly, voice cold):

"Tell Sileus...

Raelan has returned.

And he is no name to be mocked."

Another bandit (mocking):

"Who the hell is Raelan?

A fool who walked right into our hands!"

Raelan {raising his hand sharply}:

"Noah!!"

In a flash, Noah pulled out a small object from his pouch, sparked it,

and tossed it toward the rocks.

One of the bandits (laughing, stepping on it):

"Ha! What is this….child's play?

Your fire can't even burn wood properly!"

Raelan smirked.

The spark kissed the device.

BOOOOOOM!!

A thunderous explosion shook the mountainside.

Bodies flung into the air.

Dust swallowed the skies.

The one who stepped on the trigger?

All that remained…

was a shadow scorched into stone.

The rest fell like scattered leaves.

Raelan (stepping through the smoke):

"Now...

do you know who Raelan is?"

"Hahahaha!"

---

From afar, the leader of Sileus's gang watched in silence.

One of his men:

"Let's attack now!"

Leader (murmuring with a twisted smile):

"No, Kather…

Let's see who this man really is."

"If we can bring him to our side…"

"Nothing will stand in our way."

He grinned, eyes sharp as blades.

"The wolf has come to us...

And we need a wolf like him."